Guys Read

Jon Scieszka is perhaps known best as author of The Stinky Cheese Man and Time Warp Trio. He also is the founder of Guys Read. After 10 years teaching elementary students and 15 years as an author, Jon noticed boys aren’t too crazy about reading. This observation is substantiated by U.S. Department of Education reading test scores that show for the last 30 years, boys score worse than girls in every age group, every year.

Guys Read is a positive force in getting boys to read. Its main strategy? Finding text guys want to read and letting them choose what they want to read. In addition to an incredible reading list recommended by guys, Guys Read offers other resources, practical information, and humorous inspiration to help …. guys read.

Guys and Reading

About Guys and Reading explores the landscape of boys and literacy and why boys may have trouble with reading.

Books That Guys Read

Books for Guys is the place to visit for finding a book for guys. Teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, and guys have contributed to this collection, and it keeps growing. You can find books by the usualmethod – title, author, and subject. What’s most appealing are the categories outside the usual sports, adventure, and war. Try: "At Least One Explosion," "Outer Space, but with Aliens," and "People Being Transformed Into Animals!".

Guys Listen

Guys Listen acknowledges that for some boys - reluctant or voracious readers—, tuning into an audiobooks is more appealing than sitting down and flipping through print pages. Guys Listen expands the reach of Guys Read by recommending great nonfiction and fictional story audiobooks . It is a collaboration of National Ambassador of Literature for Young People Jon Scieszka and middle school media library specialist Rose Brock, and Listening Library.

VISIT the Guys Read website for more resources and inspiration to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.

Guys Read began when author and former elementary school teacher Jon Scieszka noticed a lot of boys aren’t too crazy about reading. Jon, who grew up in a family of six boys, wants to motivate boys to read by connecting them with material they’ll want to read and in ways they like to read. Guys Read offers many resources to get boys to read, including a long and luscious list of books that guys like, recommended by librarians, teachers, parents, and …. guys.

Nourish

Food isn’t just about what we eat. Food touches on a myriad of contemporary issues and fires up essential questions, such as Where does my food come from? What are the benefits of eating with family? How do ads affect the food choices we make?

Nourish, an education initiative from WorldLink, provides a PBS special, short films, and other learning tools to spark conversations about our food system, particularly among young people and families.

Here’s a taste of what Nourish has to offer:

Curriculum:

The Nourish School Curriculum Guide is a colorful collection of six lessons with accompanying activities, actions projects, and more to open a meaningful conversation about food and sustainability. Themes include: The Story of Food; Seasonal, Local Food; Food Traditions; Food and Ecosystems; Analyzing Food Ads; and School Lunch Survey.

Please note that lessons may be used with or without the Nourish DVD and are adaptable to both elementary and high school grades.

Of particular interest:

Lesson Two: Seasonal, Local Food For our health and the planet, there are many benefits to eating local and seasonal foods. What happens when eating local isn’t practical? In this lesson, students also will research and create a “seasonal circle” on what produce is available in their area. (see p. 26 of guide)

Lesson 3: Food Traditions Throughout the world, food is the heart of holidays, rituals, and family gatherings. It also connects us to our history, local environment, and communities. What can your students learn about cultures and each other through the food we eat? (see p. 35 of guide)

Lesson 5: Analyzing Food Ads Most food advertising is for highly processed or fast foods – have you ever seen a TV ad promoting quinoa? In this lesson, your students will become privy to the marketing techniques food companies use to get them to eat more and buy more. With this insight, your students will be able to look at these promotions with critical eyes and make more informed and healthy food choices. (see p. 48 of guide)

When it comes to music and shoes, your students know what’s the latest andgreatest. Boring is not cool. It’s the same with food! Jamie Oliverencourages your students to keep an open mind and try something different.Fancy purple mashed potatoes?

Supermarkets are sophisticated landscapes designed to get you to buy, buy,buy. From the number of beats in the music to the location of the milkcase, food guru Michael Pollan uncovers supermarket secrets so you’ll be asmarter, healthier consumer.

Eleven food experts—including farmer, doctor, and chef—share what the wordnourish means to them. Their literal and emotional definitions willinspire your students to think about what nourishes their bodies and souls– from local apples to a bike ride on a sunny day.

Nourish is a multi-year media and education initiative. The purpose of Nourish is to open a broad public conversation about our food system that encourages citizen engagement, particularly among young people and families. Nourish combines television programming, short films, web content, and learning tools to celebrate both food and community.